[{"_1":2,"_99":-5,"_100":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,75,87],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},"mediaId",6032584,"mediaKeyId","5433378-f4043b990ca8328dff764b0b1da04511","parentId",5433378,"title","Residents urge protections for immigrants, warn of Medicaid cuts and praise Indiana tobacco tax increase during public comment","audioSeconds",1424,"startMs",125000,"endMs",1549000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=5433378-f4043b990ca8328dff764b0b1da04511&start=125&end=1549","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5433378-f4043b990ca8328dff764b0b1da04511/thumbnail_125000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6032584/Terre-Haute-City/Vigo-County/Indiana/Residents-urge-protections-for-immigrants-warn-of-Medicaid-cuts-and-praise-Indiana-tobacco-tax-increase-during-public-comment","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6032584-dc3871a3132567edfd10ac8e0abf5a32/orig.mp4?Expires=1771190497&Signature=SLrmHQEr~MP7XNIMCql5KeHXEE9lujZQX8Hy-kqIhFgscpy8ITufW5~hTrmiovYoauj0LiniIhF19dU5VNrKDOzjmpDdoziGUOWNHdCZ0vceT6ZtXHZ2--aAtsSWA3mLpxIguvrMzG4hM-WQfddDcZFste7wfybBhx1mO4b2MPNauHlJgJL9-hXjuwXdiNNAp~6YDzkbwJzcpqNWcBrNdKmoRsiMst~VBQpqfO4~LLxRuLi4a5wpOd0OFN6B8DkybKzFR2t8d3IOTlH8XUVxXIYroTWtwsfq9I9jgvQv4NizD7R6SAM3EdQOWRVHgU0v6uFDRPsN5DZJj9BhN4wXqQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","City of Terre Haute, IN","date","2025-05-02T00:00:00Z","article","The council reserved the first 30 minutes of its meeting for public comment, and a range of residents and advocates used the time to press federal, state and local concerns. Speakers addressed immigration enforcement, proposed changes to federal civil‑service rules, Medicaid funding risks, and public‑health measures related to tobacco taxes.

Several speakers criticized recent Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) actions nationally and urged local protections. John Packmeier, who identified himself with Indivisible Wabash Valley, said ICE has “rounded up hundreds of migrants” and alleged extreme actions including rendition; he urged the council to find ways to protect the community. Stacy (Cesia) Hine reported that ICE raids have been reported in Indiana and said she hopes the city would “take steps to protect the right to due process” if ICE conducts actions in Terre Haute.

Speakers also raised concerns about proposed federal changes to civil‑service protections. Anna Vaz, who said she is a federal employee affected by a proposed rule, urged residents to comment on the federal register and said the change would allow political firings of career civil servants, weakening enforcement of workplace, environmental and civil rights protections.

Sister Emily Chkolsti urged the council to meet with federal legislators to oppose large Medicaid cuts in a current congressional bill she said would total about $880,000,000,000. She said in Indiana’s 8th District roughly 211,000 people rely on Medicaid, including about 87,000 children and 20,000 seniors, and argued that administrative work‑reporting requirements would remove eligible people from coverage without improving employment.

Other public comments included praise for the recent $2-per-pack cigarette tax increase and proportional increases on other nicotine products. Shannon Giles, manager for Tobacco Prevention and Cessation for Tobacco Free Vape Free Vigo and Chances and Services for Youth, called the tax increase “the most effective evidence‑based tool we have to prevent youth smoking,” and described local resources available at quitnowindiana.com.

Thrive West Central introduced its new representative, Patrice Dayton, and invited council members to a regional Thrive Housing Summit in September. Several other residents urged local leaders to use their voices with state and federal legislators on the issues raised.

Why it matters: Public comment highlighted matters beyond the council’s direct authority (federal immigration policy, congressional Medicaid proposals, and federal civil‑service rules) but asked the council to use its platform with higher‑level elected officials and to affirm local protections for residents. The tobacco-tax discussion reflected state policy recently enacted by the Indiana legislature and its local public‑health implications.

Outcome: No formal action was taken during the meeting on these topics. Council members acknowledged the comments and some encouraged continued civic engagement and attendance at related local events.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Terre Haute City Council Regular Meeting 5-1-2025 at 6:00pm","oneSentenceSummary","During the council’s public-comment period, multiple residents and local advocates addressed immigration enforcement concerns, urged federal representatives to protect Medicaid, and praised recent state cigarette-tax increases as public‑health progress.","taxTitle","Terre Haute City, Vigo County, Indiana","taxId",4154,"location","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":76,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":77,"_41":78,"_43":79,"_45":80,"_47":81,"_49":82,"_51":83,"_53":84,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":85,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":86,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6032589,"Council adopts Workers Memorial Day resolution and appoints Todd Nation to building advisory board",269,3846000,4115000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5433378-f4043b990ca8328dff764b0b1da04511&start=3846&end=4115","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5433378-f4043b990ca8328dff764b0b1da04511/thumbnail_3846000.jpg","/articles/6032589/Terre-Haute-City/Vigo-County/Indiana/Council-adopts-Workers-Memorial-Day-resolution-and-appoints-Todd-Nation-to-building-advisory-board","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6032589-39eb1ef8b57b7a37cce6bc22f66f24eb/orig.mp4?Expires=1771190497&Signature=agtIMFVYS5ABzQ4ZvETSKVWvxvpmHbiOebXHhCkDBIsqB4P1J-Z6KCBY7jdExMgY4qjrUtCDxkqXeF6Ip8iJ3LQjbuz0IsJ1By~sjKVYzLBwputWDOUDsI0YGdsLP2c2ia~xYS3lQ3OTEi0iFUwqzzWOSlbhxJd9xBcXwDcnRikUg3TMTcDbp12C1K1UHnllFiUSw6p5UNLcDCF0lZLMjvFkXGqAS5jdeiqZqiHxnhrzTgS8dDKSnpcb5qo7phTBWiCo8aoxAIchMDdh2~ZuxSTNmXm8cN2L17XbTb48IcDY0Bc8DhA5AStFQVk1bNn5S2LiQERAaJfZMFkVnpFy2g__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Terre Haute City Council on Thursday unanimously adopted Resolution 15 20 25, an after‑the‑fact proclamation recognizing April 27, 2025, as Workers Memorial Day. Councilperson Hinton moved adoption; Councilperson Boland seconded, and the motion passed by voice vote.

Council members who attended described last Sunday’s event at the Eugene V. Debs house and praised union organizers and labor representatives who helped present the memorial. Several council members noted speakers addressed OSHA changes and worker safety concerns.

Later in the meeting the council filled a vacancy on the Construction and Building Advisory Board. Councilperson DeBond nominated Todd Nation; the nomination was seconded and approved by voice vote. Council documents show the appointee will serve as the council’s representative to that advisory board and staff said the nomination followed a request from engineering staff.

Why it matters: The resolution formalizes city recognition of Workers Memorial Day and the appointment fills the council’s seat on an advisory board that reviews building and construction issues and coordinates with the engineering department.

Details: The resolution mirrors a recognition the council also made last year. The appointment was processed during the meeting after engineering staff requested the council make an annual appointment. No contested vote was recorded.","The council unanimously adopted Resolution 15 20 25 proclaiming April 27, 2025, as Workers Memorial Day and approved the council’s appointment of Todd Nation to the Construction and Building Advisory Board.",{"_33":88,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":89,"_41":90,"_43":91,"_45":92,"_47":93,"_49":94,"_51":95,"_53":96,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":97,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":98,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6032594,"Terre Haute council delays decision on rezoning request at 1103 S. Center St. after neighborhood protests",2026,1899000,3925000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5433378-f4043b990ca8328dff764b0b1da04511&start=1899&end=3925","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5433378-f4043b990ca8328dff764b0b1da04511/thumbnail_1899000.jpg","/articles/6032594/Terre-Haute-City/Vigo-County/Indiana/Terre-Haute-council-delays-decision-on-rezoning-request-at-1103-S-Center-St-after-neighborhood-protests","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6032594-5fbc59e2edc5de4e065323331b62ec6e/orig.mp4?Expires=1771190497&Signature=Gasua4SLRUzMzsiz8q0R3a9szsoFwakzD4XocnHXZoCC9tBAZBivhHUMsoSYA-95XdoxJ8P1IxJPE4v7EmGsEjM-r~2cpFtYaZKSy0ylgKVw0~UgBHIk68XGPvhtB~TBngyNhB6eE5J56Tc~u2tXQQnM~9e2m4tf9pzMt6LorraAjCufneRaWAnu8RlWUVSuOuZjQb~ccp83LoAk48Y0Dh66EvIdjufCyH5sm1Ela0MAh~8Z~euDnWnUT5Vurqa1qbLzgWs13iwISFyY0-h3ZKkbiyWsma3Z4aSyaNpWh0lVYIejAhij7O2-6~y~ge4YxOsa6sX4gsA7031-X7DNHg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Terre Haute City Council on Thursday heard extended public opposition to Special Ordinance 11 20 25, a petition to rezone 1103 South Center Street from R-1 (single-family) to R-2 (two-family). Petitioner attorney David Frederick described the property and said Highland Property Group bought a condemned duplex last year and is seeking rezoning and a parking variance.

Neighbors and preservation advocates said the work on the house is already done, has damaged the block’s historic character and left debris, and that approving the rezoning now would set an undesirable precedent. Carrie Youssef, president of Farrington Grove Historical District, Inc., said the petition’s claim that the owner “will be unable to renovate the property until it’s properly zoned” is false and submitted photographs she said show renovations already completed. Chris Wolf, a local contractor and landlord, and Britney Staff Wolf, a resident, said the exterior work removed historic features and left sidewalks strewn with glass and construction debris. Margaret Hurdlick, a longtime resident, said the long center block between College and Washington is the only R-1 block in Farrington’s Grove and asked the council to preserve it.

Council members declined to vote on the ordinance at the meeting. Council discussion focused on process and precedent: several members said they will await the area planning commission’s review and a staff report before deciding. Councilperson Thompson asked the petitioner to provide the date the building permit was filed and how far renovations have progressed; David Frederick said he would gather and provide that information. Council members and residents also referenced a planned historic-preservation ordinance expected before the council in coming weeks.

Why it matters: residents said approval would alter the single-family character of a small, historic block, and opponents argued allowing after-the-fact rezoning rewards developers who begin work before obtaining proper approvals. Supporters of redevelopment were not represented at the meeting; the petitioner said Highland Property Group intends to rehab the building but did not request an immediate vote.

What happened next: No formal council vote occurred. Council members said they would review the area planning commission’s recommendation (area planning had not yet met on the petition) and requested documentation from the petitioner about the timing and scope of the renovations and the building-permit timeline. The council indicated the item will return after staff and area planning recommendations are available.

Details: The petition requests rezoning from R-1 to R-2 for a property described by the petitioner as a two-story building with three bedrooms and two baths on each floor. The petitioner also requests a variance reducing required parking from six spaces to four on the site. Neighbors submitted photographs alleging boarded historic windows, new siding, construction debris left in yards and on sidewalks, and what they described as low-quality work that has diminished neighborhood character.

Council context: Council members noted the council cannot dictate construction style or quality absent a historic-preservation ordinance, which several council members said is forthcoming. Members also expressed concern about creating a precedent that permits “ask forgiveness, not permission” behavior if the council approves after-the-fact rezoning.

Next steps: The petition will proceed to area planning for review; the council deferred final action pending that recommendation and additional documentation from the petitioner.","The Terre Haute City Council heard more than a dozen residents oppose Special Ordinance 11 20 25, a petition to rezone 1103 South Center Street from R-1 to R-2. Council members asked for more information and deferred action pending the area planning commission review next week.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Residents urge protections for immigrants, warn of Medicaid cuts and praise Indiana tobacco tax increase during public comment

Council adopts Workers Memorial Day resolution and appoints Todd Nation to building advisory board

Terre Haute council delays decision on rezoning request at 1103 S. Center St. after neighborhood protests